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Where does ding dong ditch come from?

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The classic practical joke of ding dong ditch is known by many names around the word: knock knock ginger in England, chicky melly in Scotland, knick knack in Ireland, and even nicky nicky nine doors in Canada.

Whatever the name, the game is the same. Step 1: the prankster runs up to a door. Step 2: the prankster knocks on the door or rings a doorbell. Step 3: the prankster flees, much to their laughter and to the resident’s confusion or chagrin.

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Ding dong ditch is believed to have been started by English schoolchildren in the 19th century as a form of entertainment. Ding dong is for the sound of the doorbell and ditch, the act of running away. The specific phrase ding dong ditch is recorded by 1980.

Kids often do the deed with little malice other than to get the best of grownups. Sometimes perpetrators may mess with someone in a position of authority they don’t like, such as a teacher or grumpy neighbor.

With the rise of YouTube and other video-sharing sites, pranksters have upped the ding dong ditch game. Channels like Ireland Boys and JOOGSQUAD PPJT have made videos of ding dong ditching while wearing spandex costumes or ding dong ditching then urinating on their victim’s lawns. A collaboration video from those channels in 2018 showed the YouTubers ding dong ditching while wearing ghillie suits; it earned over 10-million views.

Though ding dong ditch is usually harmless enough, there have been dire consequences. In Kentucky in 2011, a group of preteens were shot at while doing the prank, sending one to the hospital, fortunately with non-life-threatening injuries.

I’m weak asf why this little girl just ran up to our door knocked real quick then ran away but started speed walking but what she didn’t know was I was sitting right here by this BIG ASS window by the door and caught her ass 😂😂 you suppose to play ding dong ditch at night